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<h1>Primitive shapes</h1>

<p>Next to <a href="importExport.htm#Import">importing shapes</a> from an external file, <a href="shapes.htm">shapes</a> can also directly be created inside CoppeliaSim by selecting [Menu bar --&gt; Add --&gt; Primitive shape]. The following 5 primitive shapes are supported:
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<p align=center><img src="images/primitives1.jpg"></p>
<p class=imageLabel>[Primitive shapes: plane, disc, cuboid, sphere and cylinder]</p>
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<p>
Geometric parameters of the primitive shapes can be adjusted in the primitive shape dialog:
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<p align=center><img src="images/primitives2.jpg"></p>
<p class=imageLabel>[Primitive shape dialog]</p>
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<li><strong>X- / Y- / Z-size</strong>: size along the world reference frame's x- / y- / z-axis.
</li>

<li><strong>X- / Y- / Z-Subdivisions</strong>: number of elements along the world reference frame's x- / y- / z-axis (*)
</li>

<li><strong>Sides</strong>: number of sides of a cylinder, disc or sphere.
</li>

<li><strong>Faces</strong>: number of faces of a cylinder(*) or sphere.
</li>

<li><strong>Disc subdivisions</strong>: number of disc subdivisions (disc or cylinder) (*)
</li>


<li><strong>Smooth shaded</strong>: whether the shape should appear smooth (Gouraud shading) or sharp.
</li>


<li><strong>Open ends</strong>: whether the cylinder has open ends.
</li>

<li><strong>Cone</strong>: indicates that a cone is desired instead of a cylinder.
</li>

<li><strong>Create dynamic and respondable shape</strong>: if selected, the generated shape will be <a href="designingDynamicSimulations.htm#staticAndRespondable">dynamic and respondable</a>. It will not not be <a href="collidableObjects.htm">collidable</a>, not <a href="measurableObjects.htm">measurable</a>, not <a href="renderableObjects.htm">renderable</a> and not <a href="detectableObjects.htm">detectable</a>, and have a slight blue color, in order to quickly recognize it. <br>
</li>

<li><strong>Create pure shape</strong>: if selected, a <a href="shapes.htm">pure shape</a> will be generated that performs much better and faster during <a href="dynamicsModule.htm">dynamic calculations</a>. <br>
</li>

<li><strong>Material density</strong>: the density of the material.
</li>

<li><strong>Shape has negative volume</strong>: when checked, then created pure shapes will have a hole inside (i.e. a negative volume) that has the dimensions of the shape scaled by the <strong>Inside scaling factor</strong>. This is a useful feature to create tube-like structures that can be efficiently simulated dynamically. Currently, only the <a href="dynamicsModule.htm#vortex">Vortex Studio engine</a> supports this feature. </li>


<p>(*) the subdivisions and faces properties cannot directly be seen and have not a direct effect. Following shows two similar shapes with different subdivision parameters:
</p>

<p align=center><img src="images/primitives3.jpg"></p>
<p class=imageLabel>[Two cuboids with different subdivision parameters (as seen in the <a href="triangleEditMode.htm">triangle edit mode</a>)]</p>
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<p>Shapes with a higher subdivision count reflect lighting in a more differentiated way. See the <a href="triangleEditMode.htm">triangle edit mode</a> and the<strong> Subdivide largest triangles</strong> option for more details.
</p>

<p>Colors and other visual attributes should be adjusted in the <a href="shapeProperties.htm">shape properties</a>. The shape mesh can also be adjusted and edited in the <a href="shapeEditModes.htm">shape edit modes</a>, or in the <a href="geometryDialog.htm">geometry dialog</a>.<br>
</p>


<br>
<h3 class=recommendedTopics>Recommended topics</h3>

<li><a href="apiFunctionListCategory.htm#shapeObject">Related API functions</a></li>
<li><a href="shapes.htm">Shapes</a></li>
<li><a href="shapeProperties.htm">Shape properties</a></li>
<li><a href="importExport.htm">Importing / exporting shapes</a></li>
<li><a href="shapeEditModes.htm">Shape edit modes</a></li>
<li><a href="geometryDialog.htm">Geometry dialog</a></li>
<li><a href="designingDynamicSimulations.htm">Designing dynamic simulations</a></li>

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